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READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Sri Lanka, Oct. 10

15 October 2024

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited Sri Lanka alongside Fleet Master Chief Donald L. Davis, Jr., Oct. 10, to reaffirm the strong partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka, and to transfer a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft to the Sri Lanka Air Force to strengthen the country’s maritime security.
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Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with President Anura Dissanayake of Sri Lanka, center, and U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with President Anura Dissanayake of Sri Lanka, center, and U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with President Anura Dissanayake of Sri Lanka, center, and U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
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Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with President Anura Dissanayake of Sri Lanka, center, and U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
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VIRIN: 241010-N-N0801-1030


Koehler met with several senior Sri Lankan and U.S. officials in Colombo to discuss security challenges, collaboration on maritime domain awareness and disaster response, and cooperation between naval forces, especially in the critical Indian Ocean region, including:

●      President of Sri Lanka, Honorable Anura Kumara Dissanayake
●      U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Honorable Julie Chung
●      Secretary to the Ministry of Defense, Air Vice Marshal (Ret) Sampath Thuyacontha
●      Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Adm. Priyantha Perera
●      Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa

The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with President Anura Dissanayake of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with President Anura Dissanayake of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Rear Adm. Kanchana Banagoda, chief of staff, Sri Lanka Navy, at the Sri Lankan Naval Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Rear Adm. Kanchana Banagoda, chief of staff, Sri Lanka Navy, at the Sri Lankan Naval Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, participates in a pass-in-review of Sri Lankan sailors at the Sri Lankan Naval Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, participates in a pass-in-review of Sri Lankan sailors at the Sri Lankan Naval Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet signs a guest book at the Sri Lankan Naval Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet signs a guest book at the Sri Lankan Naval Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 10, 2024. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, center left, Sampath Thuyacontha, Sri Lanka’s secretary of defence, center right, and Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, participate in an induction ceremony of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, Oct. 10, 2024. The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, center left, Sampath Thuyacontha, Sri Lanka’s secretary of defence, center right, and Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, participate in an induction ceremony of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, Oct. 10, 2024. The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, center left, Sampath Thuyacontha, secretary of defence of Sri Lanka, center right, and Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, participate in an induction ceremony of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, Oct. 10, 2024. The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, center left, Sampath Thuyacontha, secretary of defence of Sri Lanka, center right, and Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, participate in an induction ceremony of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, Oct. 10, 2024. The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung speaks about the importance of the U.S. – Sri Lanka partnership during an induction ceremony of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, Oct. 10, 2024. The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung speaks about the importance of the U.S. – Sri Lanka partnership during an induction ceremony of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, Oct. 10, 2024. The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
From left to right: Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, Sampath Thuyacontha, Sri Lanka’s secretary of defence, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, his wife Gina Koehler and other senior military officials participate in an induction ceremony of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, Oct. 10, 2024. The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
From left to right: Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, Sampath Thuyacontha, Sri Lanka’s secretary of defence, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, his wife Gina Koehler and other senior military officials participate in an induction ceremony of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, Oct. 10, 2024. The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, fifth from left, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, center right, Sampath Thuyacontha, Sri Lanka’s secretary of defence, center left, and Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, sixth from left, and other senior military officers and officials participate in an induction ceremony of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, Oct. 10, 2024. The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, fifth from left, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, center right, Sampath Thuyacontha, Sri Lanka’s secretary of defence, center left, and Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force, sixth from left, and other senior military officers and officials participate in an induction ceremony of a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, Oct. 10, 2024. The transfer of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft will provide key capabilities for the Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy to patrol its own waters, counter maritime threats, and secure vital trade routes in the Indian Ocean. The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)


The visit to Sri Lanka underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order. 
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